Joel Payamps Bio
Joel Elias Payamps, born on April 7, 1994, is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher currently in the organization of the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). A right-handed relief pitcher, Payamps has spent more than a decade moving between professional affiliates, brief major league stints, and waiver claims across several organizations. Over the course of his career, he has appeared in MLB for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, and Milwaukee Brewers before joining Atlanta.
Known for a high strikeout rate out of the bullpen, Payamps has built his career as a journeyman reliever who bounces between the majors and Triple-A. His ability to adjust to new organizations quickly has allowed him to remain active in professional baseball since 2011.
Early Life and Background
Joel Elias Payamps was born on April 7, 1994, in the Dominican Republic. As a Dominican native, he grew up in a country with a deep baseball tradition, where the sport serves as a central part of the national culture. From a young age, Payamps developed his skills in local amateur baseball before pursuing a professional career.
On May 1, 2011, Payamps signed with the Colorado Rockies as an international free agent, beginning his path in professional baseball at seventeen years old. The Dominican Republic has produced many MLB players, and Payamps became part of that pipeline by joining the Rockies’ developmental system.
Path to Professional Baseball
Payamps began his professional career in the Dominican Summer League, pitching for the Dominican Summer League Rockies. In 2011, he went 1–3 with a 3.29 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 38 innings, and in 2012, he posted a 1–2 record with a 3.02 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 59⅔ innings. He moved up to the rookie-level Grand Junction Rockies in 2013, where he went 4–7 with a 6.06 ERA and 63 strikeouts over 68 innings.
In 2014, Payamps played for the Tri-City Dust Devils, going 0–2 with a 6.10 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 20⅔ innings. He was released by the Rockies organization on May 6, 2015, and did not appear in any professional games during the season. This setback gave him an opportunity to restart his career in a new system the following year.
Joel Payamps Career
Early Career in the Diamondbacks System (2016–2018)
On November 30, 2015, Payamps signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 2016, he split the season between the Single-A Kane County Cougars and the High-A Visalia Rawhide, going a combined 10–8 with a 3.86 ERA and 128 strikeouts across 132⅓ innings. The 2017 season saw him pitch for Visalia, the Double-A Jackson Generals, and the Triple-A Reno Aces, posting an 11–7 record with a 4.30 ERA and 96 strikeouts over 150⅔ innings.
In 2018, Payamps split the year between Jackson and Reno, going 9–8 with a 3.87 ERA and 122 strikeouts over 116 innings. On November 20, 2018, the Diamondbacks added him to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, recognizing his development as a prospect.
Major League Debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2019–2020)
Payamps opened the 2019 season with Reno but suffered a broken foot on April 6 when he was hit by a batted ball. Despite the injury, he finished the minor league season with a 5–6 record, a 3.89 ERA, and 69 strikeouts over 78⅔ innings between Jackson and Reno. On August 17, 2019, the Diamondbacks promoted him to the major leagues for the first time.
He made his MLB debut on August 21, 2019, against the Colorado Rockies, allowing two runs over three innings. Payamps appeared in two games during his rookie campaign, striking out three batters in four innings while allowing two earned runs. In 2020, he made two more appearances for the Diamondbacks, striking out two batters in three innings and allowing one earned run. Overall, with Arizona, he appeared in four MLB games, pitching to a 3.86 ERA without a decision. On November 20, 2020, he was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks.
Toronto Blue Jays Stint (2021)
On November 25, 2020, Payamps was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox. He was designated for assignment on February 3, 2021, after the signing of Garrett Richards was made official, and on February 10, he was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays. On February 22, he was again claimed off waivers by the Red Sox, only to be claimed once more by the Blue Jays on March 6.
Payamps recorded a 2.70 ERA in 22 appearances with the Blue Jays, but was designated for assignment on July 16, 2021.
Kansas City Royals Period (2021–2022)
On July 21, 2021, Payamps was traded to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for cash considerations. He appeared in 15 games, including one start, down the stretch for the Royals, posting a 1–1 record and a 4.43 ERA over 20⅓ innings. He made the Opening Day roster going into 2022 and appeared in 29 games for Kansas City, posting a 2–3 record and a 3.16 ERA with 33 strikeouts across 42⅔ innings pitched. Payamps was designated for assignment by the Royals on August 18, 2022.
Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers (2022–2025)
On August 20, 2022, Payamps was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics. In 12 appearances for Oakland, he logged a 1–3 record and a 3.46 ERA with eight strikeouts over 13 innings pitched. On December 12, 2022, the Athletics sent him to the Milwaukee Brewers in a three-team trade in which the Atlanta Braves acquired Sean Murphy, the Brewers acquired William Contreras and Justin Yeager, and the Athletics acquired Manny Piña, Esteury Ruiz, Kyle Muller, Freddy Tarnok, and Royber Salinas.
On April 13, 2023, Payamps recorded his first major league save in an extra-innings win over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. He made 69 appearances for Milwaukee during the season, compiling a 7–5 record and a 2.55 ERA with 77 strikeouts and three saves across 70⅔ innings pitched. In 2024, he appeared in 68 games out of the bullpen for the Brewers, registering a 3–7 record and a 3.05 ERA with 59 strikeouts and six saves over 59 innings.
Payamps made 23 appearances for the Brewers in 2025, but struggled to an 8.35 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 18⅓ innings pitched. He was designated for assignment by Milwaukee on May 22, 2025, cleared waivers, and was sent outright to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds on May 29. The Brewers selected his contract again on September 3, and he allowed two runs in 5⅓ innings across five appearances before being designated for assignment on September 20.
Atlanta Braves Era (2025–Present)
On September 22, 2025, Payamps was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves. He made two appearances for Atlanta, recording a 3.38 ERA with two strikeouts across 2⅔ innings pitched. On November 6, Payamps was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, and he elected free agency the same day.
On November 23, 2025, Payamps re-signed with the Braves on a one-year, $2.25 million contract, securing his place in the organization for the upcoming campaign.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable moments of Payamps’ career came on April 13, 2023, when he recorded his first major league save in an extra-innings victory over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. The 2023 season with the Brewers marked his most productive major league campaign, as he appeared in 69 games and posted a 2.55 ERA, demonstrating his ability to perform as a high-leverage reliever.
Joel Payamps Family
Personal Life
Joel Elias Payamps maintains a private personal life. As a native of the Dominican Republic, he has remained closely tied to his Caribbean roots throughout his baseball journey. Further details about his family and personal relationships are not publicly documented in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season proved to be a turbulent year for Joel Elias Payamps. He began the year with the Milwaukee Brewers, where he struggled to an 8.35 ERA across 23 appearances and 18⅓ innings pitched. His difficulties led to a designation for assignment on May 22, after which he cleared waivers and was sent to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds.
Payamps was selected back to the Brewers’ active roster on September 3, where he posted a 3.38 ERA across 5⅓ innings in five appearances before another designation for assignment on September 20. Shortly afterward, on September 22, he was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves, providing a fresh opportunity late in the season.
After electing free agency on November 6, Payamps re-signed with the Braves on November 23 on a one-year, $2.25 million contract, setting the stage for a return to Atlanta’s bullpen in the upcoming campaign. His resilience in navigating multiple team transitions throughout the year highlighted his persistence as a major league reliever.